Tevez's advisors lodged an appeal against the gross-misconduct fine of approximately £1.2 million with the Premier League on Monday night. It puts the Argentinian back into the same position he found himself in late last year, when he appealed against a similar fine following his failure to warm-up during a Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich.

On that occasion, Tevez managed to get the fine reduced to two weeks' wages, only to head back to Argentina a fortnight later. He has not returned.

"The Premier League received correspondence from Carlos Tevez last night giving notice of Mr Tevez's intention to appeal against a disciplinary sanction imposed on him by his club, Manchester City," the Premier League confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. "Premier League rules allow for players to appeal disciplinary decisions under Section K and the Premier League Board will consider this request at the earliest available opportunity."

City imposed the fine on December 22, having tried - and failed - to get the striker to report for duty. They had already stopped paying the player's wages, a move that has so far cost Tevez an estimated £1.9 million.

Tevez subsequently appealed against the punishment but that was thrown out on January 7 after a hearing involving two City directors, Marty Edelman and Mohamed al-Mazrouei.

Unlike last time, when PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor stepped in on Tevez's behalf, in this instance City feel their case is watertight.